World's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is coming down at Six Flags

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The world’s tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, has reached its final days, as demolition crews prepare to implode the iconic ride that has towered over Six Flags Great Adventure for nearly 20 years.

The eyes of the roller-coaster loving world are on the New Jersey theme park, which originally targeted mid-February for the implosion, according to a permit filed by the park. That has been pushed back for a variety of reasons including weather, but demolition is well underway.

For days, gawkers have parked along Route 537 hoping to get a glimpse at the famous highlighter green, 456-foot looping arch of Kingda Ka as it comes down. They’ve left disappointed thus far – or, perhaps, momentarily relieved.

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A fan-favorite coaster

Riders approach Kingda Ka's summit on May 19, 2005, two days ahead of its opening to the general public. Coaster enthusiast Jeremy Delong bid $1,692 on eBay for the right to be on the first run on the ride's maiden flight. With the entire ride lasting under a minute, the thrill cost Delong $33 per second. — Riders approach Kingda Ka’s summit on May 19, 2005, two days ahead of its opening to the general public. Coaster enthusiast Jeremy Delong bid $1,692 on eBay for the right to be on the first run on the ride’s maiden flight. With the entire ride lasting under a minute, the thrill cost Delong $33 per second.

Matt Kaiser, New Jersey regional representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts, wasn’t surprised by the outpouring of onlookers for Kingda Ka’s scheduled demise.

Six Flags didn’t announce that the ride was sunsetting until after the park had already closed for this past season. Before that, rumors had persisted for months among theme park news websites and roller coaster aficionado social media groups.

While some die-hards may have traveled across the country to get one last ride in, countless more were left in the dark. Getting the chance to watch Kingda Ka come down is the closest thing they might get to closure.

“A lot of people are still emotionally attached to Kingda Ka,” Kaiser said. “It’s a really big deal for it to come down. It’s one of the first things you see when you drive in, before you even get to the park. It’s just been so iconic.”

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When Kingda Ka opened in 2005, it was billed as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.

A bumpy history

Kingda Ka opened in 2005 to massive fanfare. Its 456-foot drop and top speed of 128 miles per hour immediately made it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Its speed record held until 2010.

But Kinda Ka also faced its fair share of problems. It closed for months almost immediately after its opening due to needed repairs. Months-long closures became a regular occurrence, including a 2009 closure after it was struck by lightning.

Most recently, the state ordered Kingda Ka shuttered in 2023 after its launch cable snapped.

Riders visited Six Flags Great Adventure not knowing whether Kingda Ka would be open. And it wasn’t uncommon for the ride to start the day off fully operational, only to be shut down after a guest waited two hours.

What’s next for Six Flags Great Adventure

Kingda Ka used a hydraulic launch system to slingshot riders horizontally from 0 to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.

Along with Kingda Ka, The Twister and Parachutes have also closed to make way for a new signature launch coaster, which is expected to break multiple records when it opens in 2026.

“This major investment is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience and offering the next generation of thrilling attractions,” Six Flags Great Adventure spokesman Ryan Eldredge said in a statement. Details are expected later this summer.

In the meantime, guests can look forward to the opening of the THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, this spring. The park says it will be the first super boomerang coaster in North America, launching guests both forward and backward with speeds up to 59 mph.

Kaiser said the park has a big hole to fill. Kingda Ka formed a formidable trio of top roller coasters — with Nitro and El Toro — that was hard to beat on the East Coast, if not the entire country.

“It was one of the greatest combos of coasters at any park,” Kaiser said. “It doesn’t necessarily need to have the height or the speed, but they need something that can live up to Kingda Ka.”

What’s the tallest, fastest coaster now?

The world’s fastest coaster, according to Guinness World Records, is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. It hits just over 149 mph.

Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 is next in line for world’s tallest coaster, by Guinness’ account, but it won’t be for long.

Falcons Flight is expected to become the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the world when it opens “soon” at Six Flags Qiddiya City.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Six Flags is taking down the world’s tallest coaster, Kingda Ka

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